Antimicrobial Barrier Device for Preventing Bacterial, Fungal and Viral Contamination of Purses, Shoulder Bags, Totes, Cases, Packs and Other Personal Luggage Devices

ABSTRACT

An antimicrobial barrier device is provided, adapted to shield a purse or other personal luggage device against microbial contamination and transfer. The anti-microbial barrier is designed to overlay and thereby anti-microbially shield a contact surface of the purse or luggage (typically a flat bottom or side thereof), effectively preventing viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan contamination of the purse or luggage when the contact surface is rested upon a potentially contaminated surface, such as a floor, seat or countertop.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to protective barrier devices for preventing microbial contamination and transfer to and from personal luggage devices such as purses and backpacks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore the notion of providing a barrier shield to protect personal bags, such as purses, totes and backpacks, from microbial contamination has largely been dismissed in the public realm. Protective barriers for purses and other personal luggage devices have been contemplated in the past, but no useful and effective barrier device for personal luggage has been developed commercially and meet with widespread consumer acceptance.

The Covid-19 pandemic that emerged in 2020 quickly spread worldwide with enormous health, safety and economic impacts, opening the public's eyes to an urgent need for improved hygiene and sanitation practices in all aspects of life. Covid-19 has claimed more than 600,000 lives in the US to date, and over 3.8 million globally. Recognizing the severity of these impacts, public awareness of the risks of pathogenic contamination and transmission has improved. People are now increasingly willing to undertake reasonable measures to safeguard against viral, bacterial and fungal contamination, transmission and infection.

It is axiomatic that purses, handbags, satchels, backpacks, diaper bags and other personal luggage devices are dangerous vectors for pathogenic contamination, transmission and infection. Both men and women commonly carry some form of personal luggage daily, typically a purse for women, and shoulder bag, gym bag or small pack for men. These devices are useful to carry day-to-day essential personal items, including a wallet for cash and cards, cell phones, personal hygiene items (e.g., hair combs, and brushes, make-up, lotion, feminine hygiene items, etc.), accessory clothing, eyeglasses, snack items (candy and snack bars, chewing gum), wipes, and even face masks used for anti-microbial protection. Consequently, the disease “vector” risk inherently arising from the use of purses and other personal luggage devices is magnified by the extensive manual access (direct touch contact) associated with their use, which encompasses handling and use of myriad personal items transferred into and out of purses, bags, or packs daily. This high degree of manual access involves frequent touch contact imposing contamination/infection risks to the individual using the purse or luggage item, magnified by the fact that many items carried within the purse or luggage are intentionally brought into direct contact with the user's mouth, nose, eyes or other mucosal surfaces that are vulnerable entry points for microbial infection.

Contamination, transmission and infection risks associated with purses and other personal luggage devices are further exacerbated by the fundamental transportation purpose of these devices. By definition, purses, briefcases and backpacks accompany the user through all walks of life, often into heavily-trafficked public spaces like restaurants, bathrooms, mass transportation spaces (subways, buses and planes), meeting rooms, schools, offices, theaters, concert halls, and many other locations where contamination risks are heightened, and where manual access to the purse or luggage and personal items therein are expected to be frequent, posing high transmission and infection risks.

Often in these high-risk places there is no hygienic storage option. On the contrary, people are compelled to set their purses, bags and packs down on floors and seats of restaurants, buses, planes and theaters, counters in offices and public restrooms, and on many other high-traffic surfaces that are notoriously soiled and contaminated with a diverse array of microorganisms. In medical/epidemiological terms, these surfaces are referred to as “fomites”, which are by definition surfaces that are vulnerable to frequent deposition/contamination and transfer/transmission of microbial pathogens, including viruses (such as Covid-19, hepatitis and influenza), bacteria (e.g., salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli), fungi (e.g., stachybotrys, or black mold), and protozoan microbes (e.g., amoeba that cause dysentery, and other protozoans that cause malaria, toxoplasmosis, sleeping sickness and other serious diseases).

In view of the foregoing, an urgent need has long existed in the art for a practical, easily-deployed, inexpensive, popularly-acceptable, protective anti-microbial barrier device that is effective and easily deployed to protect purses and other personal luggage items against surface microbial contamination.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention fulfills the foregoing needs and satisfies additional objects and advantages by providing a reliable, sanitary, inexpensive, disposable or reusable, anti-microbial protective barrier device, developed under the domestic trade name PURSEMASK™. The novel PURSEMASK™ protective barrier device of the invention is adapted for use with a wide range of purses and other personal luggage items, including backpacks, duffel bags, carryalls, attaches, slings, diaper bags, and the like.

The PURSEMASK™ anti-microbial protective barrier device of the invention is sized, dimensioned and adaptable for use with all types of purses, bags and packs. For example, the barrier device can be used to protect a broad diversity of women's purses, from hard- and semi-rigid shell, geometric-shaped purses, to soft-bodied, shaped or formless purses, shoulder bags and duffels.

Likewise, Applicant's PURSEMASK™ protective barrier device is useful with a wide range of other personal luggage items, including briefcases, totes, shoulder bags, gear bags and backpacks.

In use, the PURSEMASK™ anti-microbial barrier device securely overlays at least a seating surface of the purse or other personal luggage device, which seating surface is generally flat or otherwise configured to stably position the purse or luggage device in a stable, seated or resting position atop a potentially contaminated support/storage surface. In exemplary embodiments, the PURSEMASK™ anti-microbial barrier device will overlay a flat bottom or side of a purse or other luggage device, which bottom or side securely rests the purse or other luggage device upon a floor, seat, table or countertop to hygienically store the purse or luggage.

The novel PURSEMASK™ anti-microbial barrier device of the invention effectively prevents contamination of the user's purse or other luggage device from ordinarily soiling, wetting, oiling, food contamination and grime accumulation from floors and other soiled or contaminated surfaces. More importantly, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device prevents greater than 90%, usually over 95%, and up to 100%, of ordinary surface-to-surface contamination by dangerous microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, protozoans and other germs and parasites)—effectively blocking a wide range of disease organisms from being transferred onto shielded surfaces of the purse or luggage from contaminated surfaces. Thus, while the anti-microbial barrier is positioned over the resting surface of a purse or luggage item, the purse or luggage can be safely set upon even the most soiled and microbially contaminated surfaces, such as floors and seats of busses, restaurants and theaters, restroom countertops and other common sources of dangerous microbial deposition and transfer, with essentially zero risk of direct surface-to-surface microbial pathogen transmission.

In illustrative embodiments, the PURSEMASK™ anti-microbial barrier device comprises a generally square, rectangular or circular enveloping portion formed of a waterproof material that is also impermeable to even the smallest of microbes, including bacteria and viruses. A variety of plastics and other waterproof materials that are effectively impervious to microbial penetration can be employed. In certain embodiments, anti-microbial barrier construction employs activated anti-microbial materials, including active agents such as disinfectants, silver, copper, and other anti-microbial agents that actively kill or neutralize viruses, bacteria and fungi, which anti-microbial materials can be integrated into, or coated onto, the barrier device.

The PURSEMASK™ anti-microbial barrier device can be quickly and easily, securely overlaid against a bottom and/or side, resting portion of a purse, backpack, duffel or other luggage device. The enveloping portion is manually placed or wrapped to partially or fully envelop the resting portion of the purse or other luggage item, for example to engage and envelop bottom and corner elements, and/or partial or entire side portions, of a purse or backpack. The enveloping portion is securely held in place by engaging means, for example an elastic collar surrounding an upper opening of the enveloping portion, or alternatively by ties, handles, adhesives, and a variety of other contemplated engaging means.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a PURSEMASK™ barrier device of the invention deployed with a conventional lady's purse. FIG. 1 B is an exploded sectional view taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1A, illustrating an exemplary securing means (elastic collar) of a PURSEMASK™ barrier device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a PURSEMASK™ barrier device of the invention deployed with a duffel or carryall style purse.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a PURSEMASK™ barrier device of the invention deployed with backpack style personal luggage device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a PURSEMASK™ barrier device of the invention deployed with a clutch style purse.

FIGS. 5 a-5 g exemplify representative imprint modes for a PURSEMASK™ barrier device, of the invention, wherein the entire body, or portions, of the device can be manufactured to bear a PURSEMASK™ mark in conjunction with a desired fashion imprint, for example zebra (FIG. 5 a ), leopard (FIG. 5 b ), polka dot (FIG. 5 c ), floral (FIG. 5 d ), beach stripe (FIG. 5 e ), tie dye (FIG. 5 f ), and heart (FIG. 5 g ) patterns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, an illustrative PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 of the invention (see, FIG. 1 ) may be particularly designed for use with a conventional lady's handbag or purse 12. Purses are most commonly designed with a bottom, seating surface 14, that is usually flat and is commonly sized and dimensioned to allow the purse to be seated in a stable, upright position upon a support surface 18, for example an upper surface of a floor, table, counter or vehicle seat.

Within illustrative embodiments of this design, a main body portion 18 of the PURSEMASK™ barrier is formed of a waterproof, sanitary shielding material that effectively blocks all transfer of dangerous microbes (including viruses, bacteria and fungi) from a contaminated support surface 16 to the shielded seating surface 14 of the purses 12 or other luggage device. This barrier function of the PURSEMASK™ device, by effectively shielding contact areas of the purse/luggage against microbial transfer from contaminated support surfaces, in turn protects the user against most ordinary microbial contamination that attends the use of purses and other personal luggage. By shielding the seating surface that contacts contaminated support surfaces 16, the PURSEMASK™ device effectively prevents contamination of other parts of the purse or luggage, and of personal items stored therein, from incidental contamination that would ordinarily follow contamination of the seating surface, through ordinary handling and use. Likewise, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device effectively, and most importantly, protects the user herself, and the user's family and friends, against microbial infection involving purses and other personal luggage items as disease “vectors”, whereby the unprotected purse or luggage item can be readily contaminated with disease organisms (transferred directly from contaminated environmental support surfaces to seating surfaces of the purse or luggage), which are then transferred to other parts of the purse or luggage, to items stored therein, and eventually to the hands and vulnerable mucosal surfaces (e.g., in the mouth, nose and eyes) of the user, and potentially other individuals they contact, to complete the infection pathway.

In certain embodiments the main body portion 12 of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 forms a generally square, rectangular or bucket shaped envelope, sleeve or pouch. A square or rectangular envelope or sleeve design is particularly amenable for use with generally square or rectangular purses, handbags, clutches, slings, totes, beach bags, diaper bags, backpacks, etc.

Alternatively, the body may comprise a bucket-shaped envelope or pouch for use with soft-bodied or round-bottomed shoulder bags, duffels, carryalls, backpacks, and the like.

Within these and related embodiments, the main body portion 18 of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 will typically have bottom 20 and sides 22, that are contiguous (i.e., the bottom and sides are of unitary construction, or are imperviously joined), and are impenetrable to water and microbes passing from an outer body surface 24 (environmentally exposed) to an inner body surface 26 (i.e., the surface that lies adjacent to, or in contact with, outer surfaces of the purse or luggage during use).

The bottom 20 of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 will typically be flat or curved, and the side portions will usually define a generally square, rectangular, ovate or circular top opening 28. The opening is sized and dimensioned to accommodate and receive at least the bottom, seating surface 14 of the purse or luggage. In more detailed embodiments, the bottom and sides of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device are collectively sized and dimensioned to receive an entire bottom portion of the purse or luggage, and to be drawn up and over above the bottom edges (e.g., corners 30) of the purse or luggage.

Within related embodiments, the top opening of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 may be provided with securing means, for example an elastic collar 32, to seat the barrier device in a secure position, whereby the body of the device overlays the bottom of the purse or luggage, and typically at least a portion of the sides 34, 36 thereof, and securely engages the purse or luggage by way of the securing means. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the barrier device is securely, circumferentially engaged against the sides of the purse or luggage primarily at the opening 28 of the barrier device, by means of the elastic collar. The elastic collar allows for expansion of the opening, to receive and pass over the purse or luggage bottom 20 and corners 30, followed by full seating of the device and then elastic closure of the collar to circumferentially narrow the opening so that it engages and securely grips the sides of the purse or luggage, whereby the body is securely disposed in use as a protective barrier adjacent to the bottom and sides 34, 36 of the purse or luggage. As used herein, the “front” surface of a purse or pack is generally defined by the presence of front ornamental or functional features, for example the presence of front access openings, snaps, buckles or zippers, and/or a maker's mark or logo 38. In the case of backpacks 56 the “back” surface is intended to mean the surface to which shoulder straps are attached (see, e.g., FIG. 3 ).

In certain embodiments the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 is intended tube provided as a disposable article, manufactured from an inexpensive barrier material, such as a conventional plastic. A variety of plastics film and sheet materials are useful for barrier device construction, including polyethylene sheets and films (e.g., LDPE, LLDPE). Other useful plastic materials for making the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 include laminates and co-extrusions of polyethylene, polypropylenes and polystyrenes and other plastics.

Despite the widespread use of polyethylene for making articles formed of plastic films and sheets, Applicant intends to provide the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 in an eco-friendly design and construction. While polyethylene sheets and films biodegrade naturally, this requires an extended period of time. Methods are available to make these materials more quickly degradable under suitable conditions of sunlight, moisture, oxygen, and composting, to enhance biodegradation. Preferred materials in this context will include polyethylene and other polymer plastics made more biodegradable by reducing the hydrophobic nature of the polymer, consequently increasing the hydrophilic properties and rendering the manufactured article more biodegradable. Other suitable materials in this context include modified polyethylene that exhibit increased susceptibility to ultraviolet and/or oxidative degradation, for which purpose a variety of chemically modification compositions and methods are published and accepted for enhancing biodegradation and environmental elimination of polyethylene and other plastics.

Applicant is further committed to providing disposable, plastic versions of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 in a readily recyclable form. Plastic recycling improves usage of resources and minimizes environmental harms associated with unregulated plastics disposal. To further facilitate this objective the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 will typically be manufactured from a printable plastic film, which will bear printed, internationally-recognized symbols and instructional marks designating recyclability and specifying optimal recycle instructions/routing. For example, biodegradable polyethylene film products should be routed separate from the general recycling stream (along with plastic produce and shopping bags) to avoid contaminating other recyclables and fouling recycling machines.

Conventional manufacturing methods are useful for producing disposable, plastic forms of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10. In exemplary embodiments, polyethylene (PE) film or sheet material is formed as a continuous-feed tube of material that is fed in a production machine and die-cut to form cylindrical unit blanks approximately sized and dimensioned for a finished product. Thereafter, one end of the cylindrical PE cut blank is welded or glued across an entire free end to form a closed bottom 20 of the barrier device. Standard heat-welding and adhesive processes and materials can be employed to make this closure, that are well known and widely practiced in the art. The opposite end of the die-cut piece may be left free to form an unmodified opening 28 corresponding to the open upper end of the barrier device in use. More commonly this end will be further elaborated or tooled to provide securing means, as described, for example to incorporate an elastic collar, draw-string collar, handles, ties and other securing means as further described below.

In various embodiments of the invention, all or part(s) of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 may be transparent. In other embodiments, the device will be produced or modified to have visually decorative features, or to incorporate instructional and/or advertising print. For example, all or portions of the barrier device main body portion 18 may be formed of a printable material, such as a printable plastic or textile material, and production of the device will include an integral or additional step of printing the material to bear a desired visible design, instruction (e.g., instructions for use of the device) or advertising content. In illustrative embodiments, the main body portion (or a sub-part thereof, such as a side 34, 36 portion), will be printed to include a plain text or stylized instructional or advertising content (such as “PURSEMASK™” or “PURSEMASK®”.

In related embodiments, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 can be produced or modified after production to incorporate distinctive colors, shades and ornamental effect additives and coatings (including, for example, metallic, reflective, iridized and/or glitter additives/coatings) applied to or incorporated within the PURSEMASK™ surface design, which can further optionally include one or more distinctive fashion print designs, integrated or post-production imprinted on all or part of the device. The device, or portions thereof, can be clear, translucent, semi-transparent, or opaque, and color selection can be of any primary or blended color, for example, white, black, tan, grey, primary colors, pastels, and any desired tint or hue. Print styles can similarly vary to encompass any iconic or original fashion or graphic print. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 a-5 g , the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 can be designed and to have the entire body, or portions thereof, of the device printed with a PURSEMASK™ mark in conjunction with a desired fashion imprint, for example zebra (FIG. 5 a ), leopard (FIG. 5 b ), polka dot (FIG. 5 c ), floral (FIG. 5 d ), beach stripe (FIG. 5 e ), tie dye (FIG. 5 f ), and heart (FIG. 5 g ) patterns, and other prints.

For producing a PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 having an elastic collar 32 or non-elastic drawstring element 42 associated with the opening 28, a variety of materials and manufacturing methods can be used. In different embodiments, a continuous, circular or ovate, elastic thread or band 40 (FIG. 1B), or a non-elastic drawstring element 42 (FIG. 4 ) is integrated within the opening.

In illustrative embodiments, the thread, band or drawstring element is housed within a closure channel 44 (FIG. 1B), formed for example by folding a free edge of the body at the opening, inward or outward to define a closure channel, then heat sealing or gluing the free edge to form a secure weld (arrow 46, FIG. 1B) against a juxtaposed surface of the body, thereby circumscribing the closure channel. In this manner, a sealed, tubular closure channel 44 is formed encasing the elastic thread or band, or drawstring element therein. In embodiments where the securing means incorporates a drawstring element, two closure channels are ordinarily provided that are each incomplete, so that free ends of the drawstring element protrude for manual deployment and tightening (see e.g., FIG. 4 ). A single drawstring element in the form of a partially enclosed loop can function to close or narrow the opening 28, to securely anchor the barrier device to the purse or other luggage, most easily by tying opposing free ends of the drawstring element to cinch the opening. Alternatively, two opposed drawstring loops may be drawn by pulling opposing free loop end in opposite directions, according to conventional drawstring design and operation.

In alternate embodiments of the invention, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 is made with additional structural design features specifically adapted to a particular class or design of purse or other personal luggage item. Very commonly purses are designed with one or more protruding handles to carry comfortably, as in the purse designs of FIGS. 1 and 2 . To enhance use and access of these types of purses the barrier device can be produced with one or more handle openings or slots 52 designed to receive the handle(s) and allow carrying and readier access to the purse and its contents when the barrier device is seated. In the design illustrated in FIG. 2 , the main body portion 18 of the barrier device can easily be cut to make a slot or stamped to make a larger opening during production, whereby the body portion defines a free, open margin 54 in the shape of a slot or oval edge, circumscribing a handle or strap opening 56 positioned and dimensioned to readily receive the handle(s) or strap(s) therethrough, rendering the handle(s) or strap(s) free for access and manipulation by the user. Typically, these openings are formed at upper, side 22 portions of the main body portion of the barrier device, consistent with standard handle placement. In these and related designs, the openings 56 serve as alternative securing means to hold the barrier device in secure placement during use (i.e., they anchor the device at the free, open margins 56 to the handle or straps at their bases, whereby the need for additional securing means (e.g., an elastic collar 32) is obviated, or optional.

In addition to square and rectangular designs, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device will optionally feature a bucket-shaped main body portion 18, to better accommodate soft or formless purses and luggage, for example duffel and carryall style purse designs (as illustrated in FIG. 2 ), and for backpacks 56 (as illustrated in FIG. 3 ), among other non-geometric style luggage devices. As described above, these embodiments of the device can feature any suitable securing means, including an elastic collar 32 closing means, a drawstring element 42, or various other securing means (including slots 52 suitably sized, located and configured to receive handles (or in the case of backpacks, to receive shoulder straps 58) to allow carrying and manipulation of the purse or luggage when the barrier device is deployed.

A wide variety of additional, alternative securing means are further contemplated within the invention, including adhesive tabs on opposing inner faces of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 open top or upper portion.

Additionally, the top margin (defining the opening 28) of the barrier device can be equipped with adhesive tabs, flexible ties, hooks and a variety of other securing means to affix the barrier device in a stable attached configuration (e.g., by adhering tabs or attaching ties or hooks to a surface, ornament, buckle, strap, handle or other attachment interface on the purse or luggage item. While the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 is generally designed to only partially overlay a purse or other personal luggage item, allowing access during use to items within the purse or luggage, it is also envisioned that smaller personal luggage items (such as wallets and clutch purses) may be best protected by essentially full encasement within the barrier device. In these embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 4 ), the subject purse or luggage item may not have a stable resting surface to safely set the device upon a contaminated support surface, and in such instances full enclosure is the best option to protect against contamination.

While the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 is commonly intended for inexpensive, disposable use and production, the same design and utility features described above can be implemented using a diverse array of alternate construction materials, including fabrics and a wide array of textile materials that can render the device washable and reusable. Critically, suitable materials for reusable construction will be similarly flexible for operability with diverse luggage designs, and most critically will be impervious to water and microbial penetration.

Exemplary materials in this context include waterproof, flexible nylons and a variety of waterproof-coated fabrics.

All of the materials from which the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 can be suitably constructed will be non-porous, durable materials resistant to microbial soiling and impervious to microbial transfer/contamination through the material. Plastic films and sheet materials are particularly useful in this context. All contemplated materials for use within the invention will be amenable to sterilization by chemical, gas, ultraviolet, irradiation or other means, and all finished devices will be manufactured and packaged in certified, sterile condition ready for safe use.

In more detailed embodiments of the invention, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 is constructed at least in part using an active, antimicrobial agent incorporated on the surface of, or embedded within the device itself. Typically, at least the bottom 20 portion of the device is coated or embedded with an active antimicrobial agent, which may likewise coat or invest an entire outer surface of the device, or the entire device. In exemplary embodiments, the bottom or entire main body portion 18 of the barrier device is composed of, coated with, or impregnated with a plastic composition that includes a known antimicrobial compound (often uniformly dispersed with the plastic body or coating).

Antimicrobial compounds are demonstrated effective if they kill or neutralize (e.g., prevent from transmitting, multiplying or surviving over time) target microbes. For use within the invention, “target microbes” will include transmissible pathogenic human viruses (including influenza, Covid-19 (humanSARS-CoV-2), hepatitis viruses, herpes viruses, papillomaviruses, HIV and others). The subject materials used within the invention will be actively “anti-viral”, meaning they will incorporate compounds that neutralize or kill these target viruses upon contact. The subject antimicrobial compounds will also be anti-bacterial (against common bacterial pathogens such as pneumococcus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli and others), and anti-fungal against a broad diversity of fungal pathogens.

Many suitable anti-microbial compounds amenable to incorporation within useful plastic materials, as well as within alternative textile and coating materials as described, are known in the art. In exemplary embodiments, the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 may be constructed of a polyethylene or other plastic sheet or film material that incorporates, or is coated with, an ionic silver or copper salt or complex, known to confer potent anti-microbial properties.

Alternatively, quaternary ammonium compounds and salts thereof (e.g., having hydroxyl or hydrolysable silane groups capable of undergoing condensation polymerization to form a copolymer) can be incorporated into the plastic composition (see, e.g., Nigel et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,894 (US Patent Publ. 20110233810). In yet additional embodiments, plastic polymer formulations can be rendered anti-microbial using hydrophilic additives that render the surface of these materials readily cleanable and actively anti-microbial. Hydrophilic reactive additives (HRAs) (see, e.g., Graham et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/998,431 (US Patent Publ. 20140171546).

In certain embodiments of the invention, anti-microbial active agents are integrated into, or coated onto. one or more specific portion(s) of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10, before or after manufacture. In exemplary embodiments, the device is made with only the bottom 20 and/or sides 34, 36 of the devices made of, integrating, or coated with, an active anti-microbial agent or compound. In related embodiments, use of the PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 will extend to optional user-application of a disinfectant or anti-microbial agent (e.g., using a disinfectant, chlorine, anti-microbial, peroxide or other microbial neutralizing or killing spray, applied by the user), for example to bottom 20 or side 34, 36 external surfaces of the device to increase sterile effectiveness.

The PURSEMASK™ barrier device 10 of the invention will typically be provided to consumers in multi-unit packages small enough to fit into accessory compartments of purses 12 or other personal luggage. Packaging for the barrier device may incorporate means to cue devices successively for use, for example where removal of one device carries forward a successor device to the package opening for easy access (in the manner of Kleenex® dispensation). For ready deployment the purse or luggage will often be placed in the user's lap, and the barrier will be engaged and seated over the bottom, corner and side portions of the purse or luggage as described. The purse or luggage will then be ready to be rested on a support surface of a transit vehicle, restaurant or public lavatory, without risk of viruses, bacteria and fungal pathogens being transmitted to the seating surface of the purse or luggage. After use the barrier device is readily removed (e.g., by manually engaging the collar), preferably stripped from the purse or luggage inside out, so the sterile inside can be manipulated by the user for sanitary disposal. [0047] Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the description herein, which is presented by way of illustration not limitation.

The invention will thus be understood not to be limited, except in accordance to the claims which follow or may later be presented for examination. Various publications and other references have been cited with the foregoing disclosure for economy of description. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 

What is claimed:
 1. An antimicrobial barrier device for preventing microbial contamination of a purse or other personal luggage device, comprising: a protective barrier envelope or sleeve with a closed bottom and a main body portion defining an opening sized dimensioned to receive at least a bottom portion of a purse of luggage item, the barrier envelope or sleeve constructed of a non-porous material impervious to water and microbial passage through the material; and securing means to affix the barrier device in a secure deployed position that maintains the barrier envelope or sleeve in protective juxtaposition to the bottom portion of the purse or luggage item. 